Advertisement
On the visitors’ side of the track, a group in tie-dyed T-shirts sits atop metal bleachers, all screaming for “Lauren” at the top of their lungs.
“Lauren, get jumpin’,” “Think fast, Lauren,” “Goooo Lauren!!!”
It’s about midday Friday, and the WIAA state track championship is in full stride.
“Lauren” is Lauren Mulrine, a sophomore from Green Bay Southwest High School and the third leg in the 100-meter relay.
Mulrine doesn’t glance toward her vocal fans but focuses on her race, the runner coming toward her on the straightaway and her hand reaching back to clasp the golden baton.
A few seconds and she’s off and running.
“It’s an awesome feeling when you’re running ... when you get that rush,” said Mulrine. “I hear them (cheering), and I love it. It gets me pumped up.”
While Mulrine’s support mainly was fellow teammates and friends, others had families rooting for them from the sidelines.
The family support for Brittaney Patske, a senior at Green Bay East High School, was evident by the puff-paint T-shirts — everyone from her grandmother to her niece wore one — stating they were on of Patske’s proud relatives.
The family particularly was proud of the high jumper because she made it to the state meet after two years of not qualifying or even participating in all of the track meets because of dermatomyositis, a disease that weakened her muscles.
“It was frustrating, because I could barely run around the track,” Patske said of her sophomore and junior year.
This year, she is back, feeling better and jumping higher.
Although Patske didn’t qualify for the finals, father Kurt Katers said competing at the state meet was her main goal.
“Overcoming health issues and getting back down here was a big deal,” he said.
“Most kids would quit,” said grandma Bonnie Katers. “Her dream was to get here again.”
KJ Lang can be reached at (608) 791-8226 or klang@lacrossetribune.com.
